Method of producing dry cells



Sept. 1, 1925. 1,552,395

C. P, DEIBEL ET- AL METHOD 0F PRODUCING DRY CELLS Filed Dec. 15. 1924 2 Shegtl-Sheet l l ffm/@ninfas F5)/ m5 18` UAM Sept. 1` 1925.

c. P. DEIBEL ET AL METHOD OF PRODUCING DRY CELLS Filed Dec. V15. 1924 2 Shouts-*Sheet 2 jbl/enfans Patented Sept., 1, 1925.

' 'UNITED STATES PATENTQoFl-l'ce.

CYRIL r. DRIBRL AND .WALTER G. WAITT, or LAKEWOOD, OHI'O, AssIGNORs To THE TwIN DRY CELL BATTERY COMPANY, or CLnvELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION or OHIO.

Application tiled December 1l, 1(824. lerial No. 765,877.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, CYRIL P. DEIBEL and WALTER G. WArrr, citizens of the United States, residing at Lakewood, in the county 6 of Cu ahoga and State of Ohio, have invente a certain new and useful Improvement in Methods of Producing Dry Cells, of which the followin is a full, clear, and exact description, re erence being had to the 10 accompanying drawings.

The aim of our invention is to provide a method of prodhcing dry cells which `is adaptedto the facilities of automatic manufacture so that a great increase in produc- 16 tion, with-the resultant decrease in cost, is effected. Furthermore, such method of manufacture, made possible by the novel features of our invention, insures uniform high quality 'of product.

set forth has long existed, and with the advent of the radio it hasbecome exceedingly stringent. Our process was evolved rimarily for' the roduction of so-oalled batteries of ra io sets because revailin methods are uite inadequate an unsuite "to the manu acture of the comparatively small cells of which suchbatteries are constituted. It is to be understood however that our invention is e ually well adapted to the manufacture of ry cells of all sizes embracing those ranging from the smaller ashlight sizes to .the` standard 6 Ainch size.,

It has been quite impossible to make batteries with any degree of ra idity by the methods heretofore employe without an occasional defective cell;.and if one cell in p the usual B battery of'ift'een cells is de- 40 fective, the entire battery is correspondingly defective. The battery as a whole is as good as, and no better than, its weakest cell. The most prevalent defect in batteries as heretofore constructed, especially of the variety above emphasized, is Contact ofthe mix with the zinc cup which constitutes the anode. When such contact exists the cell is rendered internally defective. To obviate this defect there must be an efectivo and permanent separation between the mix and the cup. Also, in the common forms of cells, no use is obtained from the bottom of the zinc cup. By virtue of our im.-

Tlie need of such a process as that herein constitutes the anode of the cell.

proved method, the bottom of the cu is ]ust as available for useas'the side wal s.

Also, 1n cells constructed according to prevaihng 4practice,I expensive low resistance materials have to be used in Order that the cell may properly function under relatively heavy kcurrent drains. This employment o f expensive low resistance materials 1d obvlated, in our improved method of manufacture, by highly compressing the m1x and thus reducing internal resistance.

A further advanta accruing Vfrom our improved process is t at more mix may be used in a cup of a given size than was'the case .with the previously described process. This, with the added use of the bottom of .the cup, enables the cell to better maintain lts voltage under a iven drain and materially increases its lie.

Cells constructed in accordance with our method of production are hermetically sealed, and include an air space or chamber of ample size to take c'are of the expansion and contraction of air or other gases within the cell, ,thus preventingthe seal from` becoming. broken through either excess or negative internal pressure.

ing a piece of suitable'absorbent material, such as astrxp \of bibulous paper, void of sizing, and of proper width, into such shape as w1ll adapt 1t for use as a lining for the cup of zinc or equivalent material which For 'example, if the cup vis of fthe usual c lindrical shape2 the strip of paper is woun to effect a cylinder of one orpmore thicknesses of paper, and one end of the 'cylinder thus Ormed is folded inwardly to produce a bottom. Prior to forming the lining in the manner described, the paper whereof it is constructed is coated with a suitable fiour or starch paster and the paste and paper are allowe pauper may regain its original strength, and

rendered more convenient of handling.

The lining is then inserted into a cup,

to thoroughly .dry so that the and tofacihtate assembly, as shall hereinafter appear, the open ends of thecup and lining are slightly `flared. The flaring of the open end of the cup facilitates insertion of the lining, and, in order to prevent the iared end of the lining from becoming contracted until such time as this is desired, the lining is initially inserted only part Way into the cup.

A cake of depolarizing mix, moldedl or otherwise formed to a size Ywhich will enable itto be readily inserted into the lining, and containing the cathode, is introduced into the lined cup, and when the advancing end of the cake engages the folded bottom of the lining it moves the linin with it to the bottom of the cup. The lining is preferably somewhat more shallo-w than the cup so that its open end will .be spaced from the corresponding end of thecup a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a layer of sealing'material which shall ultimately close the cup. yPressure of a comparatively high degree is brought to bear upon the cake of mix thereby thoroughly compacting it within the cup with the lining squeezed between it and -the wall of the cup. The fact that the material. of the lining is dry during this action, obviates all danger of its being torn or otherwise injured.

A washer of cardboard` or other suitable material is no-w placed in the open end of the cup to approximately the depth of the open end ofthe lining, and this washer is preferably dished to provide a peripheral flangev or wall which extends upwardly to about the top of the cup. A suitab-le quantity of water or electrolytic solution is now poured into the top of the cell, preferably directly into the dished washer, and this Hows-down into and about the mix, thoroughly saturating the absorbent material or paper of the lining and softening the paste. This liquid fills the pores ot the material or paper, thereby making solution contact between the mix and the cup. After `the liquid has been absorbed, the dished washer is pressed down against the top of the cake of mix, and `a fiat washer having a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the cup, is placed in thetop of the cup and brought to bear at` its edge upon the -top edge of the lining and the peripheral fiange or rim of the dished washer. The space above this iat'washer is then filled with a suitable sealing material which is allowed to harden, and this completes the cell except for the application of suitable terminals to the cathode and anode.

Attention is called to the fact that the sealing material contacts with that part'of the wall of the cup which projects above the lining. Consequently there is no paste present between this material and the wall which'would Ip-revent a proper bond. Also it will be observed that the space between the bottom of the dished washer and the iat Washer allows for expansion and con- ,nwasea traction of gasesor air -wi/thin the cell,` such Vas may be due to fluctuations in temperature, thus preventing the same from loosening the seal.

. Drawings.

A product of our invention, and an approved means of carr ingthe method into piractice, are illustrate in the accompanylng rawings wherein Fig. 1 is a central vertical ance with our invention; Figs. 2,and 3 lare transverse sections through the cell onthe respective lines 2-2 and 3 3 of` Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is 'a perspective view of a roll of paper from which the lining is formed; and;

Figs. 5 to 12 illustrate the successive steps of the process of method.

Specayc mecml/ for praal/doin g the method.

.being very strong. A Asuitable flour or section through a cell produced in accordstarch paste is applied to one side o-'the j i paper and it and the paper arevallowed to thoroughly dry before' the paper is used. For convenience ,of handling, the pastecoated paper may be put up in rolls, yone of such rolls being shown in Fig; 4, and the stippling on one side of the paper is intended to indicate the coating ofv paste. A piece of this paper of suitable length is wrapped about a mandrel 1 (Fig. 5) to form the lining 2, the coating of paste being on the outer side. The mandrel is shown as carried by a suitable support 3, and its inner end adjacent the support is slightly tapered so as to fiare the corresponding end of the lining, as indicated at 2a. An ejector 4 normally rests against the outer end of the mandrel and constitutes an extension theresia of, and the same is adapted to be projected by a rod 5 or the like which extends centrally thro-ugh the mandrel and has its outer end connected to the ejector. The ,end of the lining protruding beyond the mandrel is next folded inwardly over the ejector 4, as indicated at 2*. This step of ythe process is illustrated in Fig. 6.

As shown in'Fig. 7, a. cup 6 is next applied to the lining 2 and yfor a reason presently to be explained is shoved only part way onto the lining. To facilitate the application of the cup to the lining, the` open end of the cup is flared, as at 6a.

The cup and lining, thus assembled, are

which reposes -a cake 10 of a suitable depolarizing mix which contains the cathode v11, consisting of a carbon rod or pencil.

The cake 10 is supported upon a lunger 12 that fits the cavity 8 and has a ore 13 for the accommodation of the cathode 11. The cup rests with its closed end against an abutment 14. i

As the next step, illustrated in Fig. 10, the plunger 12 is advanced to transfer the cake 10, with the cathode 11, from the mold cavity 8 to the cup, the cake freely entering the flared end of the lining 2 and upon engaging its folded bottom 2", carries the lining with it to nal position within the cup. Sufiicient pressure is imposed, through the plunger 12, upon the cake 10 to thorou hly compact it within the cup and impart to 1t the desired density.

A dished washer 15 1s next inserted within the open end of the cup to about the level ofthe top edge of the liner. With the cup upright, as shown in Fig. 11, Water or an electrolytic solution is poured into the dished `washer and flows down .about the cathode and into the mix and paper, thoroughly saturating the paper and softening the paste carried thereby. After the water or soluti-on has been absorbed, the washer 15 is pressed down against the mix (Fig. 12) and a flat washer 16 is ilaced in the open end of the cup with its e ge portion bearing against the edges of the lining and the flange or rim of the dished washer.

A sealing material, designated 17 in Fig. 1, is introducedinto the top of the cup.

The usual metallic cap 18 is applied to the cathode 11 to facilitate attachment of a conductor, and .a terminal designated 19 is soldered 4or otherwise secured to the cup. The paste, increased in volume through the effects of the water or solution, is designated x 20 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

the lining inwardly to providea cover for` the bottom of the cup; inserting said lining part way into the cup; projecting a cake of mix containing the cat ode into the lined cup and forcing it, with the lining, to the Abottom of the cup and compressing said mix; introducing a suitable liquid into the cup'for saturating the lining and softening the paste; covering the mix with a piece of suitable material, and sealing the cup.

2. The method of producing dry cells comprising the steps of forming a lining against the mix for the cup from a piece of tou h absorbent paper carrying a quantit o dry paste, said forming being effect by^winding the paper about an axis in one or more layers `to conform to the internal size and shape of the cup and folding one end of the lining inwardly to constitutea covering for the bottom of the cup and flaring the opposite end of the lining; inserting the lining part Way into the cup; projecting a cake of mix into the lined cup and forcing it with said lining to the bottom of the cup and compressing the mix; inserting a dished washer into the cup and leaving 1t temporarily spaced from the mix; pouring a suitable liquid into the dished washer and allowing-[it to How down about the mix to thoroughly saturate 4the paper lining and soften the paste; forcing the dished washer lacing a second Washer within the cup in )uxtaposition to the "open end of the lining and the rim of the dished washer, and closing the cup with a suitable sealing material.

3. The method of producing dry cells comprising the steps of winding a pieceof absorbent paper. one or more times about a mandrel and folding the paper over the end of the mandrel, thereby to produce a lining for the sid-e walls and botton-` of the cup; placing the cup over the lining while supported by the mandrel, leaving a part of the lining projecting from the open end of the cup; removing the cup with the lining from the mandrel and supporting it in inverted position ove-r and in axial alignment with a mix container, transferring from said containera cake of mix containing the cathode into the lined cup' and forcing it with the lining to the bottom of the cup and compressing the mix; placing a dished Washer within the cup and leaving it temporarily spaced from the mix; introducing a suitable liquid into the cup and allowing it to ow about the mix and thoroughly saturate the lining and soften the paste; pressing the dished washer against the mix; placing a second washer in the cup in juxtaposition to the open end of the lining' and the rim of the dished washer,and closing the cup with a suit-able sealing material.

4. The `method of producing dry cells, the steps offforming a lining for the cup from a piece of dry comparatively thin and tough absorbent paper; inserting the lining llO within the cup: compressing a dry depolarizing mix within the lining while the lining is dry, and introducing a suitable liquid into the cup `for saturating the lining and wetting the mix; and sealing the cell.

5. The method of .producing dry cells comprising the steps Vof forming a lining for the cup from a piece of comparatively thin and tough absorbent paper which has previously been coated with a suitable paste;

lao

' the lining is comp etely dry; compressing a substantially dry v d'epolarizing mix-within able liquid.

the lining; introducing a suitable liquid into the cup for saturating the lining, softening the paste and ywetting the mix; coverin the end of thek mix with a piece of suitabIe material, and sealingpthe cup.

' 6. In the met-hod of producing dr cells, the steps ofcovering the active sur face of the negative element with a comparatively thin bibulous paper lining carrying a quantity of paste; While lining and paste are in a dry condition compressing'a suitable depolarizing mix agairst said covered surface; saturating the mix and lining with a suit- 7. In the'method of producing dry cells, thejsteps of pre-shaping a lining andinserting said lining into a cell; compressing a depolarizing. mix within the lining while the same is i'ndry condition; saturating said mix and lining with an electrolytic solution; and sealing the cell.-

8. The method of producing dry cells comprsin the steps of covering the active surface o the negative element with one or more layers of absorbent material carrying a starchy paste in a dryv state; applying and compressing a suitable ldepolarizing mix against the lining; saturating said mix and lirliling with a suitable liquid; sealing the ce 9. In the method of producin dry cells, the steps of wrapping a piece o dry, paste laden absorbent material about a mandrel and folding the ends of the material come rpletely over the end of the mandrel to form a lining for the cup inserting the lining within the cup; inserting and compressing an electrode and a suitable depolarizing mix within the cup While the lining is dry, and saturating the lining and wetting the mix with a suitable liquid.

v 10. The method of producing dry cells comprising the steps of forming a lining for the cup by wrapping a piece of dry thin absorbent paper about a mandrel, the paper having been previously coated with a starchy paste; inserting the lining within the cup 1 while dry, inserting and compressing an electrode and a suitable depolarizing mix withinthe lining while the lining is dry; saturating the mix and lining with a. sultable liquid; and sealin the cup. y

1l. In the method o producing dry cells; the steps of forming a lining for the cup by wrapping a piece of thin, dry, paste ladenl absorbent material about.I a form, said forming being effected by winding the material about the form in one or more layers to conform to the internal size and shape of the cup and folding one end of the lining inwardly to constitute a covering for the bottom of 'the cup; inserting the lining into the cup; inserting and compressing an electrode and a depolarizing mix within the cup while the lining is dry; and saturating the lining and l wettin the mix with a suitable liquid.

n the method of forming dry cells,`

the steps of forming a lining for the cup I by wrapping a piece of thin absorbent ma-y terial about a form, said forming being effected by winding the materialv about 'the form in one or more layers to conform to the internal size and shape of the cup and folding one end of the lining inwardl to constitute a covering for the bottom o the cup; l,inserting the 'lining into the cup; projecting 'a substantially dry cake of depolarizingmix into the lined ,cup and compressing the same; substantially filling said cup with a suitable liquid to saturate the mix and lining; covering said mix with a suitable material; and vsealing the cup.

13. The method of producino dry cells 'i comprising the steps of lining sides and bottom of the cup, with one or more integral layers of thin, dry, tough absorbent material coated with a quantity of dried paste; in-

sei-ting an electrode and a substantially dry depolarizing mix into the lined cup and compressing it therewithin; substantially filling the cup with a suitable liquid for saturating the lining and mix and softening the pastel; allowing the cup to stand for an appreciable time -to allow the solution to be absorbed; covering the end of the mix; and sealing the Cup. 1

14. The method of producing dry cells comprising the steps of forming a lining for the cup by wrapping about asuitable mandrel a piece of thin, drytabsorbent material, coated with a quantit uof dried paste, folding one end of the lining inwardly to constitute a covering for the bottom of the cup; inserting the lining into the cup, while in the dry condition; inserting an electrode and a substantially dry depolarizing mix within the lining and compressing it therewithin; substantially filling the cup with a suitable liquid for saturating the lining and vmix and softening the paste; allowing the mixture to stand to allow the solution to be absorbed; covering' the end of the mix with a piece of suitable material; placing a second piece of material within the end of the cup in spaced relation to the first piece; and sealing the cup.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto aiix our signatures. 

